Apple's New iPhone Trade-In Program to Include Android Phones

With the April 10th launch of Samsung Electronics Co's

Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 Edge just around the corner, Apple Inc

recently announced that the new iPhone Reuse and Recycling Program will now allow consumers in the U.S., UK, Canada, Germany, France and Italy to trade in select smartphone models—including the Samsung Galaxy S5—for credit toward purchasing an iPhone 5c, iPhone 6 or iPhone 6 Plus. (http://www.forbes.com/sites/amitchowdhry/2015/03/31/apple-recycling-program/) How the new program works In addition to Google Inc's

Android phones, select models of HTC, LG, Sony Corp

, BlackBerry Limited

and Nokia Corp

smartphones will also be eligible for trade-in. Smartphone trades through Apple's Reuse and Recycling program can be made both online through Apple's website and in-store. The value of the trade-in credit will depend on the age and condition of the traded device. Trade-in credit value Apple first launched the Reuse and Recycling Program in 2013 to promote upgrades to the iPhone 5 or iPhone 5S. The program offers consumers a credit of up to $175 for a new iPhone. No announcements have yet been made regarding the trade-in value of other smartphone devices. Apple's new partners Apple's apparent partner in the Reuse and Recycling Program is the third-party smartphone buyback company Brightstar. In addition to smartphone buybacks, Apple has also partnered with Dataserv to buyback PCs. Credits from traded-in PCs can be applied toward the purchase of a new Mac; however, phone and PC credits cannot be used toward the purchase of an Apple Watch. Soon consumers in China will also be able to trade-in iPhones through a partnership between Apple and Apple's largest supplier, Foxconn Technology Group.